Compassionate: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：showing deep empathy and kindness (compassionate)

compassionate 🔊

/kəmˈpæʃ.ən.ət/

adj.

When you see someone suffering and you truly feel their pain in your heart, and you want to help them.

Illustration of compassionate meaning: a nurse offering comfort and empathy to a patient in a hospital setting.

showing deep empathy and kindness 🔊

➕

/ˈʃoʊ.ɪŋ diːp ˈempəθi ənd ˈkaɪndnəs/

adj.

Describing a person who understands and shares the feelings of others, especially during suffering, and is motivated to offer help.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'com-' (with) + 'pati' (to suffer), meaning 'to suffer together'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'com-PASSION-ate' – having a passion to help those in pain.

📖 Example

The compassionate doctor always spent extra time listening to his patients’ worries, not just treating their illnesses. 🔊 The compassionate doctor always spent extra time listening to his patients’ worries, not just treating their illnesses.

🔗 Collocations

compassionate care – support provided with kindness and empathy, often in medical or emotional contexts

compassionate leave – authorized time off work due to a personal or family crisis

compassionate person – an individual who is naturally sympathetic and helpful towards others

🔄 Synonyms

sympathetic (adj.) – showing understanding and concern for the feelings or sufferings of others

empathetic (adj.) – able to understand and share the emotions or experiences of another person

caring (adj.) – displaying kindness and concern for the well-being of others

🚫 Antonyms

indifferent (adj.) – showing no interest, concern, or sympathy towards others

callous (adj.) – showing insensitive and cruel disregard for the feelings or sufferings of others

unsympathetic (adj.) – not feeling or showing sympathy or understanding towards others

🌱 Derivatives

compassion (n.) – a deep feeling of sympathy and sorrow for another who is suffering, accompanied by a desire to help

compassionately (adv.) – in a manner that shows compassion or sympathetic concern

compassionateness (n.) – the quality or state of being compassionate

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'compassionate' derives from Latin 'compassio', meaning 'suffering together'. It entered English via Old French, reflecting virtues of empathy and mercy in Christian and humanitarian contexts.